On the first day of Christmas, my true love gave to me… a stressed-out shopper? A credit card pushed to its limits? If this sounds familiar, keep reading.

Your digestive system feels confused

Eating too many rich desserts and salty snacks can leave you feeling bloated and/or constipated because they are made with refined flour and have little fibre. “The bowel likes a routine, and we get in trouble with regularity around this time of year because our schedule gets off track,” says Gina Sunderland, a registered dietitian based in Winnipeg. Try kicking your day off with a fibre-filled breakfast, such as bran cereal sprinkled on yogurt or flax whirled into a smoothie. (All-Bran packs eight grams of fibre per serving, while one tablespoon of ground flaxseed has more than two grams of fibre.) ”And for fibre to work, we also need fluid,” she adds. So, tip back the water regularly to keep things moving down under.

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Your bank account is shockingly low

You promise to spend less every year, but then you see the cutest-ever, custom-made thingamajig and, well, there goes the budget – again. Sigh, what’s a shopper to do? Pinterest is packed with holiday budgeting ideas. Buy a gift card every paycheque for holiday gifts or use a printable budget planner. Or, approach gift-giving differently this year. “Instead of spending hundreds of dollars on gifts, focus on reconnecting with loved ones,” says Jessica Moorhouse, the voice behind the Mo’ Money podcast.

Also, try reframing this year’s gift-giving. ”Last year, my family tried a gift exchange with the seven people in our family,” she says. “We drew names and it wasn’t any less fun. If anything, a huge burden was lifted because we weren’t pressured to spend more and we could really find a thoughtful gift for the person we were buying for.”

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You’re flustered by the flurry of festive chores

Sounds like you need some mindful thinking. “Even if you’re out shopping for a gift, you can take a quiet moment to reground yourself during the chaos,” says Melissa Colleret, a life coach who works virtually from coast to coast. If sitting in your car doing this pre-shop doesn’t work, download a meditation app, such as 5 Minute Relaxation or Quick Guided Meditations Pro, to help you out. And while you’re taking a moment to meditate, consider the reason for the season, says Colleret. “Remember to appreciate what’s great about the holidays, like family, friends and food,” she says.